Prestatyn voters tell incoming MP what really matters to them

With Prestatyn in Clwyd East and Rhyl in Clwyd North, they will each have different representatives in Westminster this time - so what can incoming MPs do to make real improvements to each area once they take their seats?

Clwyd East's electorate has the choice of Alec Dauncey (Liberal Democrats), James Davies (Conservative), Becky Gittins (Labour), Lee Lavery (Green), Paul Penlington (Plaid Cymru), Rob Roberts (Independent) and Kirsty Walmsley (Reform).

READ MORE: Rhyl voters reveal what they want incoming MP to deliver

We asked people what they wanted from their MP once the votes have been cast. 

In Prestatyn there was one major issue people wanted to resolve - the abandoned Pontins site.

"That has got to be the biggest job," said Julie Thomas, who runs the Pinky Blu baby shop. "Footfall in the town is so low and as we get into the summer and what should be high season we just aren't seeing the numbers of people.

Julie Thomas (Image: NQ Staff)

"There are businesses that are closed on Mondays as there is not enough trade - and having businesses closed has a knock-on effect. Whoever wins the election, if they could work to help identify an operator for the site to take it over and bring people back to Prestatyn, that would be a major boost for everyone."

Those sentiments were echoed by local resident Dave Humphries.

"Town is so quiet without the traffic generated by the Pontins site," he said. "It is also fast becoming an eyesore. That part of town looks terrible as nature is already reclaiming the site so it looks overgrown and a mess.

"If a new MP could facilitate the sale of the site - particularly if it is to someone who can attract holidaymakers back to Prestatyn, that would be my number one priority."

For Steve Rees, the most pressing issue is - literally - a load of rubbish.

"It's not the MP's responsibility, but the bins are now such a major problem they need sorting so maybe they can step in and help," he said. 

Steve Rees (Image: NQ Staff)

"The system is not working and they are so far behind. It's making a mess of every street. There must be a better way to  organise it. The way the bins were collected before was spot on, but since they changed it is has been a nightmare."

Bins were also on the mind of Gemma Williams, whose cheese business The Little Cheesemonger has faced a doubling of commercial bin costs despite no change to her waste requirements.

"We have had a blanket price increase imposed on all businesses," she said. "It's just another cost for us to bear alongside our pretty high business rates and other increasing costs.

"I would like to see our MP, whoever wins the seat, take a serious look at the cost burden retailers and other businesses face. I'd like to see a review of business rates to reduce them and make trading and employing people easier, because with all costs rising and footfall in the town down, the only place we can make savings is through wages, which we don't want to do.

Gemma Williams (Image: NQ Staff)

"We want our business to grow and to offer good jobs for people, but the costs we are currently dealing with are too much and in England businesses have received more relief, so I would like to see our MP take action on that."